STATE INVESTIGATING WHAT COULD BE NEBRASKA'S LARGEST BANKING FRAUD

LINCOLN- Nebraska's largest case of bank fraud related to loans obtained by a recently deceased Lincoln developer are under state investigation. Claims by banks and other lenders against the estate of Aaron Marshbanks already total more than $30 million and may eclipse $50 million by the time all of the claims are filed. More than 20 banks and savings and loans — from Omaha and Lincoln to Curtis and North Platte — are involved, as well as some credit unions. 

Richard Baier, president and CEO of the Nebraska Bankers Association, said his members suspect this may be a case of “pretty sophisticated fraud” involving the use of several limited liability companies to obtain loans that court documents show were used as operating capital for his companies. 

Kelly Lammers, the director of the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance, said his agency was investigating but offered no further information. Both Lammers and Baier said that Nebraska banks remain financially strong. Baier said they should be able to weather any potential financial losses. 

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NEBRASKA GOVERNOR'S MANSION WILL REMAIN UNOCCUPIED FOR ANOTHER 4 YEARS

LINCOLN- For the third term in a row, the Nebraska Governor's mansion will lack full-time residents. Governor-elect Jim Pillen recently announced that Columbus will remain his primary residence during his first term, citing family as the main reason for staying. However, Pillen still plans to travel to Lincoln regularly for work, stating, "Working for Nebraskans, I'll be in Lincoln, I'll be in the Capitol, I'll be all over the state."

Former Gov. Dave Heineman, who left office in 2015, was the last governor to occupy the mansion, since Gov. Ricketts decided to live in Omaha and commute to Lincoln for work.However, Alex Reuss, a spokeswoman for Gov. Ricketts, stated that he occasionally spends nights in the mansion depending on his schedule.

Pillen and his wife said they plan to do the same, and also plan to hold several events there during his first term. "We recognize how important it is to share the residence with Nebraskans," he said. The mansion, which usually is not completely vacant, hold tours and events, and is sometimes occupied by the governor for meetings. 

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GROUP LED BY STATE SEN. ADAM MORFELD LAUNCHES EFFORT TO FIGHT POLITICAL "EXTREMISM AND MISINFORMATION"

LINCOLN- On Monday, a coalition of lawyers, educators, and advocates launched a campaign to battle what it sees as "extremism and misinformation" against educators, public officials, and members of the LGBTQ community. The group, called the Nebraska Legal Action Fund, is being spearheaded by state Sen. Adam Morfeld, and aims to use "all the legal tools at our disposal to protect Nebraskans and expose extremists, their tactics and misinformation."

Morfeld described the tactics utilized by extremists as "dangerous to our democracy, influence the outcomes of elections, and create a toxic political environment." Morfeld, who recently lost his bid for Lancaster County Attorney, said several teachers coming to him about their stories of misinformation and defamation prompted him to build the coalition.

So far, the group will focus on three key areas: Legal advocacy and financial assistance, combatting misinformation in education, and investigations into groups they view as extremists. 

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COVID AND FLU PATIENTS PUTTING STRAIN ON NEBRASKA HOSPITALS

LINCOLN- Covid 19 and Flu hospitalizations are on the rise once again in Nebraska. For the week ending Dec. 3, an average of 214 Nebraskans were hospitalized with COVID, up from 181 the week before. Those numbers, however, are far below recent winter peaks. In addition, 323 Nebraskans were hospitalized with influenza-like illness, up by 175 from the week before. 

Dr. Jason Kruger, chief medical officer with Lincoln’s St. Elizabeth Regional Medical Center, said in a call with reporters that his hospital is nearly full, as are most community hospitals across the state. The emergency department has been calling in extra staff to handle the number of patients. The increased volume in the hospital includes more children.

The walk-in or priority care clinics in the Omaha metro area historically have seen about 280 patients a day at this time of year. Now they’re averaging 480 patients a day, most with respiratory symptoms. The rising COVID-19 hospitalizations in Nebraska come despite the fact that overall cases reported in the state are flat. The state recorded 1,997 COVID cases last week, virtually unchanged from both the prior week and the week before that, according to CDC figures. 

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BEN SASSE MAKES IT OFFICIAL, WILL RESIGN FROM U.S. SENATE ON JANUARY 8TH

LINCOLN- U.S. Senator Ben Sasse has officially submitted his letter of resignation indicating his final day will be on January 8th. January 8th will be just three days after governor-elect Jim Pillen takes office, replacing Governor Pete Ricketts. Speculations about who will fill the seat point to Governor Pete Ricketts.

A deadline of December 23rd has been announced for applications for the position. Current Governor Pete Ricketts has announced his intent to seek and apply for the appointment as the state's next U.S. senator. “This decision is the result of many hours of prayer and family discussions,” said Governor Ricketts. 

Even before the ink dried on Sasse’s resignation letter, one candidate threw his hat into the ring — retired Lt. Col. John Weaver of Omaha, an unsuccessful candidate for U.S. Congress this year, wrote to Pillen that he would represent conservative values if selected. Applications are also being sought to fill the Nebraska Legislature seat being vacated by State Sen. Mike Hilgers of Lincoln. Hilgers, who represents District 21 on the north side of Lincoln, was elected Nebraska Attorney General.

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BLACK, NATIVE CHILDREN OVER-REPRESENTED IN NEBRASKA CHILD WELFARE SYSTEMS

LINCOLN- Last Friday, Senator Terrell McKinney held a legislative study to determine the causes of the outsized number of Black and Native American children in Nebraska's child welfare system. McKinney stated that he believes their disproportionately high involvement in the system contributes to broader problems facing Black and Native American communities. 

"The disproportionality is a driver in low educational outcomes, low health outcomes, involvement in the juvenile justice system," said McKinney during the study, "The child welfare system in Nebraska is horrible." McKinney's study is among recent national efforts to rethink long-standing disparities in child welfare. 

Both Black and Native communities have long and traumatic histories of families being torn apart, and the disparities in child welfare nationally have been present for decades.The study found that, in Nebraska, black children are 3.4 times more likely to be investigated for child abuse or neglect than white ones, and the disparities seen in the state are the third largest in the country.

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RECORD NUMBER OF WOMEN IN THE NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE AND IN OTHER STATES

LINCOLN- Earlier last month, Nebraska voters elected a record number of women to the Nebraska Legislature, with women holding more than a third of the state's 49 seats. Around 37% of the Legislature is now composed of women, with nine Republicans and nine Democrats serving in the body. 

Three women were added to the Legislature this year, including Republicans Christy Armendariz, Jana Hughes, and Teresa Ibach, and Democrats Jane Raybould and Danielle Conrad. State Sen. Julie Slama said she was very pleased to see "conservative Republican women" running for office and being elected to the Legislature.

Jane Raybould was happy with the change too, stating, "It's incredibly exciting to be serving with all these strong, amazing, smart, savvy women. It's a little bit different perspective that we bring." This new record follows national trends, with around 32% of all state lawmakers being women. 

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ADVOCATES ON BOTH SIDES OF ABORTION ISSUE EYE NEW NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN- With just under a month until the start of Nebraska's next Legislative session, many are expecting the Republican majority to, again, attempt to place restrictions on abortion in the state. Following the overturning of Roe V. Wade, states have permission to create their own abortion laws, and Nebraska senators attempted to change the current law earlier this year. 

The same is expected to happen again next year, and Planned Parenthood is poised to defend it a second time. "We are absolutely preparing for all options to be on the table during the legislative session," said Andi Curry Grubb, Nebraska's executive director of Planned Parenthood.

With many new faces joining the Legislature, votes could go either way on the issue of abortion, even though Republicans failed to attain a 33-member, filibuster-proof supermajority. Sandy Danek, a representative from Nebraska Right to Life, believes the new Legislature will still lean conservative. "We want to support legislation that will save as many lives as possible in the shortest time frame," said Danek.

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GOVERNOR-ELECT PILLEN ANNOUNCES THREE ADDITIONAL CABINET RETENTIONS

LINCOLN- Over the weekend, Gov.-elect Jim Pillen announced three more cabinet retentions from Gov. Ricketts' administration. Dannette Smith, director of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services since 2019, will be kept in her position going into 2023. "I look forward to working collaboratively with Dannette as she continues to make DHHS a place that is bettering people's lives," said Pillen of Smith. 

Kelly Lammers will also be retained as director of the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance. Lammers has served in that role since 2020. "Under his leadership, Kelly has made the Department of Banking and Finance run more like a business," said Pillen, "I will be working alongside him to continue making government more efficient, cutting red tape, and growing the banking industry in Nebraska."

Finally, Tom Riley, the director of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, will also be retained from the previous administration. Through Riley, Pillen plans to move forward on the Perkins Canal project. "Tom has shown visionary leadership in fighting to preserve and protect our state's most precious resource, our water," said Pillen, "His leadership is vital in bringing this water home to Nebraska."

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MILLARD OFFICIALS SAY CLAIMS ABOUT LGBTQ RESTRICTIONS ARE A MISUNDERSTANDING

MILLARD- Responding to several claims last Thursday that Millard Public Schools removed all LGTQ-supportive material from its schools, Millard School officials say it was a misunderstanding. State Sen. Megan Hunt published these claims to her Instagram profile, and alleged that MPS teachers are not allowed to display "pride flags, safe space stickers or anything associated with the Human Rights Campaign."

Rebecca Kleeman, a spokeswoman for the Millard school district, said Hunt's claims were a misunderstanding. Kleeman said the district has no policies preventing teachers from displaying material associated with political or advocacy organizations, unless they are directly related to the curriculum. 

Kleeman went on to state that the misunderstanding was sparked by a recent incident that resulted in the removal of a pride flag. No details could be shared for privacy reasons, but Kleeman said the district met with Senator Hunt to discuss the matter. "It is especially difficult and sad to see these misunderstandings coalesce around one school as these are district matters," said Kleeman, "We continue to work hard to provide a safe and inclusive environment for all students and staff."

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NEBRASKA EDUCATION BOARD SELECTS OMAHA FIRM TO LEAD SEARCH FOR NEW COMMISSIONER

OMAHA- Last Friday, the State Board of Education picked McPherson and Jacobson to conduct a search for its next commissioner, who will replace Matthew Blomstedt after his recent resignation. McPherson and Jacobson, an Omaha-based firm, competed with the Nebraska Association of School Boards and the National Association of State Boards of Education for the position.

Leading the search will be Steve Joel, a former superintendent of Lincoln Public Schools, who has been working with McPherson and Jacobson for over two decades. Current superintendents from LPS, Westside, Columbus, Firth, Blair, Grand Island, Wahoo, and Broken Bow will also join the search team.

McPherson and Jacobson most recently helped select Mississippi's state Superintendent of Instruction, and hired the executive director of the Colorado Association of School Boards. "Over the course of 30 years, we have refined research tools that prove strong candidates," said Walt Cooper, a consultant at the firm, "We have a lot of flexibility. We don't start from scratch each time. Our protocols are effective and proven."

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NEBRASKA AG'S REPORT WARNS AGAINST 'THREAT' IN ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE INVESTING

LINCOLN- This week, Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson released a 37-page report outlining the dangers of ESG investing, calling it "a threat to our democratic form of government." ESG, the report claims, uses the sustainable development goals of the United Nations to "impose hand-picked, politically preferred metrics on American businesses."

Two University of Nebraska law professors reviewed the report, saying that it appeared to be "political theater." James Tierney, one of these professors, said that the report is "very light on law and it's very heavy on...international conspiracy." Peterson compiled the report because he felt there was inadequate information about ESG and its origins, and wanted to know who is setting the criteria for ESG.

BlackRock, a company invested in ESG, was attacked earlier this year by Republicans for its support of climate change and racial diversity policies. A group of Attorneys General from several states have condemned ESG for advancing a "woke left" and "left-wing agenda" instead of focusing on investor returns. Peterson claimed that anyone investing in companies like BlackRock is inadvertently supporting ESG.

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BREAKING: PETE RICKETTS TO SEEK U.S. SENATE APPOINTMENT

LINCOLN- Current Governor Pete Ricketts has announced his intent to seek and apply for the appointment as the state's next U.S. senator amidst Senator Ben Sasse's resignation.

Governor-Elect Jim Pillen has been collecting applications for consideration for the senate seat. The applications are set to close on December 23rd. Current Senator Ben Sasse has excepted the job as the next president of the University of Florida and has officially turned in his letter of resignation with a final date of January 8th.

“This decision is the result of many hours of prayer and family discussions,” said Governor Ricketts. “For me, it came down to a single question: How can I best serve the people of Nebraska and advance our conservative values? In Congress, we’re in a fight for the future of our nation, and it’s a fight we have to win. We must cut taxes, strengthen public safety and our national security, and protect our most sacred freedoms.”

“Over the last eight years, we’ve shown the world the real impact conservative leadership can have,” Ricketts said. “I want to continue delivering results for our state, fighting to reduce taxes, grow our economy, defend our liberties, and run government more like a business. I’ll never stop working to get the job done, and that’s why I’m asking for Governor-elect Pillen’s consideration.”

Currently, it is known that Ricketts will be aside retired Lt. Col. John Weaver of Omaha, an unsuccessful candidate for U.S. Congress this year, who wrote to Pillen that he would represent conservative values if selected.

Applications for the senate seat are due to Pillen’s office by Friday, Dec. 23. Submissions can be made online at nebraska.gov/appointments or sent to the Nebraska State Capitol Room 1315, 1445 K St., Lincoln, NE 68508.

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NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS OUTLINE POTENTIAL ACTIONS TO ADDRESS DECLINING TEST SCORES

LINCOLN- Last Wednesday, State Sens. Lynne Walz and Lou Ann Linehan accompanied Nebraska Commissioner of Education Matt Blomstedt to outline a few potential legislative opportunities to address the state's declining test scores.A few of these specific areas include chronic absenteeism, special education, early child literacy, and the widespread teacher shortage in Nebraska. As of now, it's unclear exactly how these issues will be addressed by the Nebraska Legislature, but the three lawmakers laying out the plan believe these areas are a good place to start.

On that same Wednesday, statewide test scores were released to the public, showing a 6-percentage-point drop in math scores during the 2021-2022 school year over 2018-2019, the last reliable comparison year prior to the pandemic. Similarly, English scores saw a 5-point drop, with proficiencies hovering around 47%. Sen. Linehan, a member of the Education Committee, believes putting more money toward teacher training in early literacy may help curb the declining scores.

"If we make sure kids learn to read between kindergarten and third grade at their grade level, if at all possible at the end of third grade, it solves a lot of our achievement problems," believes Linehan. Linehan also stated that, in the last ten years, new information on the science of reading has been released, and believes teachers should be made aware of it.

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NEBRASKA GOVERNOR-ELECT PILLEN RETAINS 3 MORE RICKETTS-ERA CABINET MEMBERS

LINCOLN- Last week, Gov.-elect Jim Pillen announced the retention of three additional cabinet members from Gov. Ricketts' administration. Jim Macy, current Director of the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, will keep his position as we transition into Pillen's governorship. 

Jason Jackson, Director of the Nebraska Department of Administrative Services, and Col. John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol, will also remain in their current positions. Macy, who has served in his role since 2019, worked previously in various positions in the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for around 30 years.

Bolduc, who was appointed directly following a Nebraska State Patrol scandal, has served in his position since 2017. Pillen described Bolduc as having the "temperament, experience, and knowledge" to continue working in his position.

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DOUGLAS COUNTY, CITY OF OMAHA TO PAY WESTSIDE SCHOOLS NEARLY $6 MILLION IN MISSED PAYMENTS

OMAHA- On Tuesday, the Douglas County Board approved a settlement totaling around $2.2 million to pay Westside Community Schools for missed payments from 2019 to 2021. In June, Westside filed a lawsuit against Douglas County Treasurer John Ewing after his office overpaid and underpaid several local governments in 2021, including Westside and four other school districts. 

Specifically, the lawsuit alleged that the Treasurer'sOffice had underpaid Westside by more than $3.7 million in 2021, and similar amounts in the two years prior. The State Auditor's Office concluded that Ewing and his office had incorrectly interpreted state statute that spells out how counties with more than one school district are supposed to distribute annual payments from the Omaha Public Power District. 

OPPD is meant to direct 5% of its gross revenue from the previous year's retail electricity sales to local governments and school districts. Tuesday's settlement outlined the steps the City of Omaha is going to take to repay Westside, and will make equal payments to the school district between 2024 and 2029.

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LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT FUNDS OBTAINED BY THE STATE GO TO MANY PLACE, PURPOSES

LINCOLN- As a result of several multi-state lawsuits against giant consumer companies like Google and Walmart, the State of Nebraska has raked in nearly $20 million in settlement funds. There is much debate surrounding who will allocate the settlement funds, with some believing it will be the Nebraska Legislature, and others thinking it will be Nebraska's Attorney General.

Attempting to sort out which Google and Walmart customers will receive the funds, according to former Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning, will be an "administrative nightmare." Because of this, Bruning, now in private practice, suggests that Nebraska should send out settlement packages to local governments and let them decide what to do with the funds.

"It's much easier to send a block of money to the state and let it figure out how it should be used," he said. Plus, Bruning went on to state, dividing the settlement would make for some very small checks to many Walmart and Google customers. A spokeswoman for the Nebraska Attorney General's Office said that settlement agreements, as well as state law, often dictate where the money should go and how exactly it will be used.

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ANOTHER COMMERCIAL FLOCK IN NEBRASKA INFEDCTED BY AVIAN FLU

DIXON COUNTY- The highly contagious and lethal avian influenza that has been circulating the country and state has claimed another group in Dixon County, according to the state Department of Agriculture. The total amount of affected laying hens in this round of the disease amounts to 1.8 million birds.

HPAI, or highly pathogenic avian influenza, spreads through nasal and eye secretions, as well as manure. It can spread in different ways from flock to flock, including by wild birds, through contact with infected poultry, equipment or caretakers’ clothing and shoes. Before this year, Nebraska hadn’t seen a confirmed HPAI case since 2015. The first wave of reports this year occurred between mid-March and April. After a quiet summer, additional cases flared up beginning in September.

Out of the now 13 separate accounts of HPAI in Nebraska, Dixon County has now been hit twice. Dixon County had an additional 1.7 million laying hens contract the disease on April 12th, 2022. Dixon County now has two of the top three highest flock numbers to contract HPAI, Knox County had 2.1 million laying hens come down with the disease on April 27th, 2022.

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VOLUNTARY GRANT PROGRAM AIMS TO RESTORE SANDHILLS, GRASSLANDS, AND WETLANDS

LINCOLN- $4 million dollars is being provided to landowners in the sandhills region by a voluntary grant program. The program is asking landowners to remove invasive eastern red cedar trees and restore grasslands and wetlands. The four-year program, funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, is aimed at restoring grassland and wetland habitat for at-risk species such as the greater prairie chicken, long-billed curlew and western prairie fringed orchid.

A spokesman with the Game Commission said the voluntary, incentive-based program is not part of the Biden administration’s “America the Beautiful” program — criticized by Gov. Pete Ricketts and Gov.-elect Jim Pillen as a “land grab” by the federal government — but was funded through the bipartisan infrastructure bill passed a year ago. 

Removing eastern red cedar trees, through mechanical means and prescribed fire, can increase forage for livestock, reduce wildfire risks and improve stream flow and wildlife habitat. Partnering with Game and Parks in the project are Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever, Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition, Northern Prairies Land Trust, Rainwater Basin Joint Venture, Sandhills Task Force, Santee Sioux Nation, and The Nature Conservancy. 

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SCHOLARSHIPS NOW AVAILABLE FOR NURSING STUDENTS TO ADDRESS SHORTAGE CREATED BY COVID-19 RESIGNATIONS

LINCOLN- In an effort to combat the shortage of nurses in Nebraska due to Covid-19 and other factors, the state is now seeking applicants for $2,500-per-semester scholarships for nursing students. A total of $5 million in scholarships is being offered, with recipients being required to practice nursing in Nebraska for a minimum of two years. “Nurses are an indispensable part of health care across our state,” said Charity Menefee, the director of operations for the Division of Public Health with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

Stress caused by COVID-19, as well as earlier-than-expected retirement of some nurses, contributed to a workforce shortage in the field that is expected to grow to 5,400 nurses by 2025 in the state. The scholarship money is being awarded on a first-come, first-served basis through the DHSS using funds obtained from the Biden administration’s American Rescue Plan Act.

Any Nebraska resident currently enrolled or intending to enroll in a Nebraska Certified Nursing Assistant, Licensed Practical Nurse or accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is eligible to apply.

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